Gary Stortz

He was unique in his view of the world where the most important things to him were family, faith, and community. “Take care of people, and God will take care of you” is a quote that, whether he knew it or not, he lived by. Gary and Bev continued their journey in 1972 when they moved to Highlandville and began renting the farm on the hill. This gave them their first place to call home, and it’s where we still call home today. They joined Big Canoe Lutheran Church in 1972 where they were welcomed into the community, and their new faith family. For the next 18 years, they worked hard building their life together and adding to it along the way with 5 more children, Michelle, Matthew, Mitchell, Melissa, and Melinda. Gary believed that you can always add one more chair to the table, and was notorious for texting his grandchildren on snow days letting them know “today is not a lazy day, it’s free-labor day”.

It was 1988 when Gary and Bev purchased the Highland General Store & Campground where we’ve all personally experienced his love and aura. He had much to offer the world, and when his table was full at home, he wanted to build a bigger one. He did this through coffee crowds, free treats, fly fishing lessons, and pictures of your trophy fish or turkey. He wanted everyone to feel special in his store, and he wanted everyone to feel like they belonged there. Beginning in 2013 they started Highlandville’s 4th of July event where we would honor community members enduring hardship, and raise money through 5K’s, Candy Bar Bingo, Duck Races, and Bean Bag Tournaments. Those were special days for him, and they always ended in a prayer over a big table, with room for everyone.

In the end, Gary’s life was taken by Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Throughout those final days, his family never left his side, and he was surrounded by love. Gary was able to personally speak to each child and grandchild in his final hours and share a special, heartfelt message of advice or his infinite wisdom. There were miracles within the heartbreak, and relief within the pain. On April 14th, with a pastor by his side, Gary entered into rest in eternal life. He was excited to be reunited with his late son Michael, grandsons Brady Stortz and Nathan Borreson, his parents, and many other family and friends that have gone before him.

Gary is survived by his wife, Beverly Stortz.

Children: Michelle (Mark) Borreson, Matt (Jennie) Stortz, Mitch (Amanda) Stortz, Melissa (Aaron) Lovstuen, and Melinda Stortz.

Grandchildren: Taylor (Brookelyn) Borreson, Kjersten (Julius) Folstad, Hannah (Jordan) Jaster, Hailey Borreson, Katelyn Stortz, Kelsey Stortz, Luke Stortz, Devin Stortz, Mason (Elise) Stortz, Gavin Stortz, Grace Stortz, Brendan (Leah) Lovstuen, Garrett Lovstuen, Maggie Lovstuen, Mara Lovstuen, Olivia Christopher and Ella Christopher.

Great Grandchildren: Sylvia & Waylon Folstad, Colton & Nolan Jaster, Haven & Natalie Borreson, Brayden, Wyatt and Emmett Borreson.

Siblings: Sharon Huber, Shirley Whalen, Earline Walters, Craig (Julene) Stortz.

In-laws: Sharon Tweten-Henry, Wayne (Arletta) Tweten, Jolene Tweten, Darlene (Chuck) Dahl, David (Jean) Tweten, and Randy (Marie) Tweten.

And his many nieces and nephews who gave him great pride.

Gary was preceded in death by his son, Michael Stortz, grandsons Brady Stortz and Nathan Borreson as well as his parents Erlin and Agnes Stortz, in-laws Odell and Marlys Tweten and brother and sister-in-law Jim Huber, Larry Whalen, Ed Walters, Larry Tweten, Lynette Tweten, Shirleen Tweten and Denis Tweten.